Summer!!

The moment so many have been waiting for has finally arrived--Summer!!!  Summer is extremely busy for many families...  But just because we are busy doesn't mean we can't be healthy.  Sometimes when we have extra time on our hands we get "bored".  During the last week of school I introduced the students at MLE to a little challenge to help combat that "bored" state of mind.  This challenge is one I read about in a book, Take it to the Next Level: Finding the keys to a higher level of performance by Rick Rassier.  The challenge is called the Five Minute Challenge and here is a little bit about it.

Five Minute Challenge
Take five minutes out of each and every single day to practice one skill or activity.  The skill can be anything from using a yo-yo to shooting baskets to doing a cartwheel.  The idea is if we focus for five minutes on practicing one particular skill, you can better at it!!  I know it is not rocket science, but I find when I completely focus on something for five minutes, without any distractions, I can accomplish so much and will eventually have a sense of accomplishment.  It takes commitment, perseverance, self-discipline and motivation to take on this challenge, which means we will improve in more ways than just one.  

My Five Minute Challenge for the summer is to improve my flexibility.  What's yours?

Community Education 
Annandale/Maple Lake community education offers several different opportunities for students and adults to become more active.  I encourage you to check out the catalog or look online to see what is available.  Basketball, volleyball, football, horseback riding, swimming lessons, and more!!!  

Here is a link to the online catalog https://www.annml.com/insight/registry/catalog.asp

Other good reading material

The following articles offer more ways to be active this summer.  The first is offered by SPARK, a company in California who offers curricula for P.E programs.

http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/5-tips-for-a-healthy-well-rounded-summer-vacation/  

The second is an email from the JAM (just a minute) School Program, an online resource for keeping people active in just  a couple minutes each and everyday.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=9d90d363-8a94-4cc3-95ee-b2b745cd99da&c=c72288f0-92fc-11e3-a51e-d4ae528eaf6c&ch=c8481d30-92fc-11e3-a534-d4ae528eaf6c  

Finally, I hope your summer is filled with activity, family time, and great memories.  I look forward to seeing everyone next fall!!

Track and Field Day!!

Track and Field day is almost upon us.  This is a much anticipated day for a number of different reasons.  This year we introduce our Kindergarten to track and field day by having them participate on an abbreviated level.  The Kindergarten group will kick off the track events by running of the 50 meter dash at approximately 8:30 a.m.  From there, we will see our primary grades participate in the 100, 200, and 400 meter dash.  The intermediate grades will begin the day at the field events.  Prior to lunch the primary grades will culminate their track events by running of the 4 x 100 meter relay.

After lunch the groups will simply switch, the intermediate grades will be on the track and the primary grades at the field events.  More precise schedules will be posted on the concession stand.

Here are a few other reminders about the day...

1.  Water bottles are acceptable and should have a name on them.
2.  Wear your sunscreen!
3.   Be sure to wear your class color.
4.   I have made an effort to talk about the competitive side of track and field day.  I enjoy the competitive nature of the day as long as we keep things in perspective and recognize a few things.
        a.  The competition helps us put forth our best effort.
        b.  We compete with other not against them.
        c.  The results of track and field day do not define any of our students. 

It is shaping up to a gorgeous day, see you on Friday!!!

Mile Run!!

Over the course of the next week we will be preparing for and completing the mile run in P.E class.  Students in grades K-2 will run the Half mile, but students in grades 3-6 will run the full Mile.  The mile run is not designed to be torture.  Instead, it is meant to be a challenge for students of all ability levels.   This is a personal challenge and not a competition with others students in the class or grade level.  When it comes to Mile Run day here are a couple of helpful hints...

1.  Wear clothing suitable for jogging.  i.e. shorts, sweats, windpants, t-shirts long or short sleeve.

2.  Eat breakfast!  Be careful not to eat too much for breakfast, but a bowl of cereal and juice or a couple pieces of toasts and juice are just a couple of ideas.

3.  Bring a positive attitude and do your best!  Know, that time is how we measure the mile run, but ultimately it is about finishing the mile while giving your best effort.

Dazzling Dave

On March 25th and 26th we were entertained and educated by Dazzling Dave, one of just 16 National Yo-Yo Masters.  Dave provided us with an entertaining "freestyle" yo-yo session, a brief lesson on the science of spin, and even instruction on how to use a yo-yo in Physical Education class.  All students in grades 2-6 were introduced to basic skills like the "dribble" and the "throwdown".  Some students were challenged on a higher level with skills like the "sleeper", "hop the fence", "walk the dog", "creeper", and "elevator".  Needless to say it was an exciting couple days around here!!

Students were sent home with a half sheet of paper with information about Dazzling Dave and how to purchase a yo-yo if interested.  Check out Dave's website at http://www.dazzlingdave.com/ for more information.

Reminder....  Students who are interested in bringing a yo-yo to school, remember, the yo-yo safe zone is outside on the U.S map and can be used at recess.  Please do not use the yo-yo inside the school building.


Here are a few pictures from the time Dazzling Dave was here.

Jump for Heart Success

Jump for Heart in Maple Lake was a massive success!!!  This year we had 72 participants who collected donations for the American Heart Association.  Those 72 participants collected a Maple Lake record, $5,068!!!   I would like to say thank you to all those who donated and raised awareness about heart health.

Here is a link, how donations are used, to read more about how the donations are spent.

Jump for Heart

February is American Heart Month.  It is also the time of year when Maple Lake Elementary students focus on jumping rope to stay healthy.  Needless to say, Jump for Heart is kicking off this week and students at MLE will begin learning and discussing the heart, heart disease, and how we can lead a healthy lifestyle.  Jump for Heart is a community service learning program offered by the American Heart Association  that teaches kids the importance of developing heart-healthy habits, being physically active can be fun, and raising funds to support cardiovascular research and education can help save lives all across the world.

The following link, Kids we've helped , is an example of the how the money collected through the Jump for Heart program can help save lives.  Please look in your son or daughter's Wednesday Envelope on February 11th to find more information about the Jump for Heart program.  Any and all donations collected for the Jump for Heart program should be returned to school by February 25th.

Contact Mr. Ronnenberg with any questions or concerns.